Zortrax Apoller

Smart vapor smoothing device

Automated post-processing

Zortrax Apoller is a desktop smart vapor smoothing device offering industrial class performance. Every aspect of a smoothing process is managed by proprietary algorithms to get the looks of FDM 3D printed models on par with injection molded items.

Speed and ease of use

Models have to be placed in a double-sealed smoothing chamber measuring 300x250x250 mm. Settings are then chosen on an intuitive touchscreen. Once it's done, Zortrax Apoller needs only 3h to evenly smooth all the models inside the chamber.

SVS technology

The SVS technology in Zortrax Apoller relies on advanced proprietary algorithms managing temperature, pressure, and concentration of solvent's vapors in a double sealed, air-tight smoothing chamber. The pressure inside the chamber is kept below the ambient pressure at all times to prevent the vapors from getting outside.

Quality and efficiency

Vapors inside the smoothing chamber are circulated upwards to evenly cover the model. This way all surfaces are smoothed out uniformly. Once the smoothing process is done, Zortrax Apoller lowers the temperature inside to condense the excessive solvent and put it back in the tank. One 300 ml bottle of acetone or MEK can be reused for multiple smoothing sessions.

Certified safety

Safety systems with multiple levels of redundancy have been designed to meet the high standards required by the ATEX 2014/34/EU Directive regulating the equipment intended for explosive atmospheres. That's why Zortrax Apoller is easy to implement in workshops and safe to use.

Wide compatibility

Zortrax Apoller works with both acetone and butanone (MEK) which are widely available and inexpensive solvents. The device can smooth models 3D printed with Z-ABS, Z-ULTRAT, Z-ULTRAT Plus, Z-ASA Pro, and Z-HIPS, or their third-party equivalents.

Order Zortrax Apoller

The new 3D printer is ready for order. You can buy it directly from Zortrax Online Store or from your local Reseller. If you haven’t find a reseller near you, check again soon or go to Zortrax Online Store.

Meet the SVS technology

Zortrax Apoller uses the Zortrax SVS (Smart Vapor Smoothing) technology to work with both acetone and butanone (MEK).

Smart Vapor Smoothing (SVS) technology uses proprietary algorithms to manage temperature, pressure, and concentration of solvent's vapors in the Apoller's smoothing chamber. First, the smoothing chamber is heated enough to vaporize the solvent deposited in a sink below the glass tray. Vapors are then circulated spiraling upwards to evenly smooth the models by superficially melting their surfaces. Next, the chamber is heated to dry the print out. Finally, the remaining solvent is brought back to the tank. The entire process takes 3h, regardless of how many models are placed in the smoothing chamber. Models are ready to use shortly after the SVS process is done.

Supports all FDM 3D printers

Zortrax Apoller can smooth models printed on all FDM 3D printers. The device is compatible with filaments based on ABS, HIPS, and ASA, regardless of their manufacturer. This makes Zortrax Apoller a truly stand-alone equipment that does not force the user into a particular choice of 3D printers or filaments provider.

The looks of injection-molded parts

Zortrax Apoller can smooth models 3D printed with Z-ABS, Z-ULTRAT, Z-ULTRAT Plus, Z-ASA Pro, and Z-HIPS, or their third-party equivalents. HIPS-based materials can be smoothed exclusively with MEK while acetone is recommended for Z-ASA. For all other supported filaments both acetone or MEK are applicable. The smoothing process leaves ASA-based materials with a mat finish. Other filaments come out with glossy surfaces. Vapors' circulation system guarantees that even intricately shaped models are smoothed uniformly. Zortrax Apoller also automatically dries the prints out which makes them ready to use shortly after taking them out of the smoothing chamber. That's what makes Zortrax Apoller a desktop device offering an industrial class performance.

A bicycle seat 3D printed with Z-ULTRAT smoothed in Zortrax Apoller to achieve a glossy finish.

Smart vapor smoothing

The SVS (Smart Vapor Smoothing) technology is compatible with both acetone and butanone (MEK). It works in 4 simple steps.

Step 1 Fill it up

The solvent tank in Zortrax Apoller has to be filled with acetone or MEK, depending on the kind of filament the models intended for smoothing have been 3D printed with.

Step 2 Place models

The models have to be placed inside the smoothing chamber 2-3 cm apart from each other. The chamber has to be closed to proceed further.

Step 3 Choose settings

The type of filament the models have been 3D printed with and the type of solvent in the tank have to be chosen on an intuitive touchscreen.

Step 4 Take models out

The models have to be taken out of the chamber after the smoothing process is done. They are dried out and safe to use straight away. No further steps are necessary.

Vacuum system

The vacuum system in Zortrax Apoller prevents the pressure inside the smoothing chamber from getting higher than the pressure outside of it even after the solvent has been vaporized. That's why the vapors are kept inside the chamber instead of being pushed out of it. The vacuum system also acts as an additional safety measure because it keeps the chamber door closed even when there is a power outage. To make this possible, the smoothing chamber in Zortrax Apoller is sealed off from the environment by two sets of seals.

Advanced vapors' circulation and condensation system

The air inside the Zortrax Apoller smoothing chamber is circulated by a meticulously designed system to guarantee high quality automated smoothing. Fragile and intricate details are covered with less solvent to keep their shape intact. Models are uniformly covered with solvents because vapors move around the chamber spiraling upwards. In the last step, the walls of the smoothing chamber are cooled down which enables excessive vapors to condense on their surface. Liquid solvent then flows back to the tank to be reused in the future smoothing sessions.

Advanced safety system

Due to redundancy carefully engineered into the system, Zortrax Apoller offers industrial-class reliability. The device is double sealed off from the environment. At all times the pressure inside the smoothing chamber is kept below the pressure in the room. Besides double seals, this is yet another level of redundancy in the safety system preventing fumes from getting out of the smoothing chamber. It also keeps the chamber closed even when there is a power outage causing its electromagnetic lock to shut down. When the power is back on, Zortrax Apoller automatically decontaminates the chamber before allowing anyone to open it.

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Compliance with ATEX Directive

Safety systems have been designed to meet the high standards required by the ATEX 2014/34/EU Directive regulating the equipment intended for explosive atmospheres. The ATEX directive consists of two EU directives regulating what equipment is allowed and what safety measures are necessary in an environment with an explosive atmosphere. The name "ATEX" is derived form the French title of the 94/9/EC directive: Appareils destinés à être utilisés en atmosphères explosives.

Serial smoothing

Zortrax Apoller is both automated and fast which makes it a perfect smoothing equipment for a 3D printing farm.

Its entire workspace can be filled with models, provided they are placed 2-3 cm apart from each other. The device needs same smoothing time and the amount of solvent to provide the same high quality of smoothing, regardless of how many models are put in the chamber.

One Zortrax M200 Plus 3D printer prints a model of a gearbox cover in 73h 40 min working with Z-ABS on 0.14 mm layer height and 50% infill. The printer can print two such models per week and those two models can be smoothed by the Zortrax Apoller in one go. This means 147h 20min worth of 3D printing can be smoothed within just 3h. That's how Zortrax Apoller can process a weekly output of four 3D printers in one day.

Specification for Zortrax Apoller

Device

Build volume

300 x 250 x 250 mm (11.8 x 9.8 x 9.8 in)

Connectivity

Wi-Fi, Ethernet, USB

Operating system

Android

Processor

Quad Core

Touchscreen

4" IPS 800 x 480

Solvent compatibility

Acetone, MEK

Available materials

Z-ABS, Z-ULTRAT, Z-ULTRAT Plus, Z-ASA Pro, Z-HIPS

External materials

ABS, ASA, HIPS

Weight and physical dimensions

Device (W x D x H)

671 x 396 x 388 mm (26.4 x 15.6 x 15.3 in)

Internal dimensions

340 x 270 x 260 mm (13.4 x 10.6 x 10.2 in)

Device weight

30 kg (66 lb)

Process

Maximum working temperature

90° C (194° F)

Minimum working temperature

-20° C (-4° F)

Minimum absolute working pressure

0.4 bar

Ambient operation temperature

15 – 30° C (59 – 86° F)

Storage temperature

0 - 35° C (32 - 95° F)

Electrical

AC input

110 V ~ 13.6 A 50/60 Hz ; 240 V ~ 6.3 A 50/60 Hz

Power supply parameters

24 V DC @ 14 A, 500 W

Maximum power consumption

1500 W

In the box

Device, Starter Kit

Additional information

All information contained in this brochure and specification is subject to change without notice.